2.0 Analysis 2.1 Crash Scenarios The accident occurred in a desolate area and there were no eye-witnesses to the crash. On the basis of the wreckage information and the information provided by people who saw the aircraft en route, it was established that the aircraft was flying at low altitude, at low airspeed, and with flaps in the take-off position. Evidently, as the aircraft rounded Hunter Point, something caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft and crash. The aircraft remained in the ocean surf for 48 hours and the wreckage sustained further damage during this time. The damage to the aircraft was consistent with an impact at slow speed, in the order of 60 knots. The most likely explanation is that the aircraft stalled at a height above the water that was insufficient to allow the pilot time to recover before the aircraft struck the water. The nose-down, left-wing-low attitude at impact is not usual in these flight circumstances and indicates a loss of control prior to impact. This analysis concentrates on four possible scenarios for this loss of control. 2.1.1 Fuel Starvation If the pilot followed the practice of exhausting the fuel from one tank prior to switching to a tank containing fuel, the engine may have stopped because of fuel starvation. At low altitude, he probably would not have had time to restart the engine before being forced to land on the rocky tidal flat. Had he attempted to stretch the glide to a more suitable landing area, the aircraft may have stalled. 2.1.2 Forced Landing It is possible that an emergency situation required the pilot to force-land on the rocky tidal flat, and that the floats struck rocks, flipping the aircraft over. The lack of damage to the underside of the floats, however, does not support this scenario. 2.1.3 Bird Strike The local eagle population is concentrated in Hunter Point, and it is possible that the sudden appearance of an eagle startled the pilot and caused him to pull up quickly to avoid the bird. At the aircraft's high weight and low speed, this could have caused a stall. Any evidence of such a bird strike would have been obscured by the impact damage and removed by the washing effect of the surf. 2.1.4 Stall During a Turn In all likelihood, when the pilot rounded Hunter Point, he would have encountered low ceilings that may have appeared as poor visibility. As he continued the left turn around the point, he may have started to slow down and descend. The weather and changing flight profile may have caused a distraction that led to a stall. 2.2 Engine Power There was no sign of a pre-impact engine malfunction. Although the evidence obtained from the engine tachometer and the propeller indicate that the engine was operating at impact, it could not be determined how much power was being developed. 2.3 Weather The weather at the time of the occurrence caused the pilot to fly at a low altitude, probably at no more than 200 feet asl. It is unlikely that this altitude would have allowed the pilot sufficient time to recover from a stall or other loss of control situation. Additionally, the low ceilings, reduced visibility, and calm water would have made it difficult to judge the aircraft's altitude and attitude. This may have contributed to the loss of control as detailed above or it may have caused the pilot to unintentionally allow the aircraft to contact the rocks or water and subsequently lose control. 2.4 Survival Aspects Shoulder harnesses were not installed on this aircraft, nor were they required by regulation. The cargo was tied down with a rope. Because of the extensive damage to the aircraft, it could not be determined if the use of enhanced cargo restraints or shoulder harnesses would have increased the likelihood of survival. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The TC approved company operations manual did not identify the maximum allowable weights for an amphibious Beaver. The ceiling in the Hunter Point area was estimated at between 200 and 300 feet at the time of the accident. The pilot most likely lost control of the aircraft when it stalled at an altitude too low to permit effective recovery. A cargo net was available but was not suitable for the load being carried. A rope was used to secure the load. 3.2 Causes The aircraft likely stalled at an altitude insufficient to permit recovery. The reason why the aircraft may have stalled could not be determined. The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.